JOHN HARTSON gift-wrapped the championship for Gordon Strachan with a 31st-birthday winner against second-placed Hearts at Parkhead.

The Edinburgh outfit arrived in the east end of Glasgow keen to delay the coronation and keep Rangers at arm's length as the two sides battle it out for a Champions League spot. But Hartson rewarded the faith of his manager, to bring him back into the side, with a third-minute decider to give Strachan his second trophy in his first season in charge of the Hoops.

The destination of the Bank of Scotland Premier League trophy and CIS Insurance Cup are now known but the Tennent's Scottish Cup finalists are now just three points ahead of Rangers with just six games remaining.

The champions-elect had seven matches to get the five points required to take the title but Celtic supporters arrived at Parkhead expecting their heroes to finish it in style. And Hartson did not disappoint. Maciej Zurawski nodded on a long punt down field from Artur Boruc to the Welshman, who struck a sweet right-foot shot for his 18th goal of the campaign.